Lunch meetings can create a bit more pressure than a typical in-office meeting or a conference call. There are elements that aren’t typically a factor in those meetings that can arise during a lunch meeting. Getting distracted by the hustle and bustle of a restaurant, improper social or table etiquette, allergies, and more are some of those factors to name a few. Here are some ways to combat the outside factors that could lead to an unproductive lunch meeting, and help make your meeting successful and effective.

Autumn means lots of things for lots of people. For a vast majority, fall means football, and with football comes fantasy football. Out of all of the Americans and football fans out there, it’s estimated that between 60 and 75 million people play fantasy football. Out of those who participate, over half of those people work full time jobs. In those full time jobs, many, if not all, have high-speed internet availability, which is prime for re-working and strategizing a fantasy team. So what does that mean for productivity?

The concept of investing in people is becoming a rising business practice. Some employers are concerned with increased training and ongoing development budgets due to fears that those who benefit from those investments will leave shortly after. While this may be the case for some, more people might actually leave because they do not receive these benefits. When training and continuous development occurs in the workplace, this provides the company with considerable return and encourages a more empowered, educated environment. In most instances, people are the biggest asset an organization has, especially those in the service sector.

Asking for a raise can be a nerve-wracking experience. In order to make the process less anxiety producing, you’ll want to approach the topic at the optimal time. You don’t want to ask for the raise before you have earned it, yet you also don’t want to miss the perfect window of opportunity and be viewed as complacent and unambitious. Here are some of the optimal times to request a raise.

Do you ever finding yourself needing a mental break while at the office, but opting for a walk outside just isn’t feasible at the time? De-stress and clear your mind with these simple ways you can clear your mind, and relax a bit without even getting up from your desk.